Review: Bittersweet Sixteen

Bittersweet Sixteen by Lexi Witcher

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a quick and easy read that gives you a taste of the paranormally cursed Dodie Jenks. It had a lot of action packed into a month's worth of time: a seer and a warlock, a first love, a first kiss, a girl's coming of age, and a sweet sixteen party. This YA read delivers a solid mystery and I'm still holding my breath waiting for answers.

Dodie is an average girl until her family reveals that she's destined to die at 16. Turns out, a distant relative did something curse-worthy and she's got to suffer the consequences. In an effort to escape the curse, they hire Leopold, a warlock, and move Dodie out to love with her previously estranged grandmother. Of course, Leopold is hot and around the same age as Dodie, so as with all teenage girls, a crush immediately develops. The rest of the characters (and even Leopold) I couldn't really get a good impression from. We are forced to spend the majority of the book trying to figure out who the "bad guy" is that is still holding onto the curse. Even at the end of the book, I'm not quite sure who the good and bad players are in all this (cliffhangers abound!).

The awkward and adorable romance between Leopold and Dodie were really what made the book a joy to read. I want to see more of their teenage love affair, and hope there is more to be had in book two. The world was so rich with characters that I can easily see this series continuing on for more than a few books. I hope we get some solid answers soon, though!



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Review: Vampire Trouble

Vampire Trouble by Sara Humphreys

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Confession -- I didn't even realize there was a book before this one until I went to log my review right now. That being said, obviously you don't need to read the first book to understand all the inner workings of the second. This was a yummy paranormal romance with a real action edge. There's vampires, werewolves, ex-angels, and probably even more in this universe -- oh, and there's a sexy romantic storyline too!

Maya is a trouble newbie vampire who is struggling with her inability to remember her pre-vampire life. Shane is a hot vampire sentry who should really be doing things other than stalk the woman of his dreams while on duty. He's drawn to Maya for more than her looks and the mystery of her turning. She's a complicated, stubborn, self-doubting, mess while he is a rigid, self-assured, egotistical, warrior. The two of them really smash into one another and are forced to work together when they go on the run at the order of the "czar" of the city (a very pregnant vampire woman -- I guess that's where reading book 1 would have helped fill in the blanks).

The chemistry between the two of them is sizzling. The way Shane gets Maya to confront her fears and grow really helped give him a "get out of jail free card" when he went all martyr on her. There's the usual misunderstood feelings ordeal and some dumb girl decisions, but this book really balanced the action, fighting, romance, and sexy times well.



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Review: My Wolf's Bane

My Wolf's Bane by Veronica Blade

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Wow -- this was a really enjoyable YA paranormal romance read! It's filled with all the yummy goodness that makes YA so fun to read -- lots of pulse pounding sexual tension, oodles of romance, and the thrill of the chase. This book instantly put the author on my new favorites list!

Autumn is a teenager who has been shipped from town to town by overprotective parents. When she gets the news that they are going to move again, she sets off a chain reaction. She (sort of) dumps her current jerk of a boyfriend, she re-evaluates her "true" friends, and she sets her sights on the new hottie that seems like he doesn't want anything to do with her. Oh, and she discovers she kind of has superpowers. This wasn't primarily a werewolf story -- it more revolved around the trials and tribulations of teenagers that just so happen to have werewolves and shifters floating around.

I was absolution in love with Zack and Autumn. The dynamic between the two (and the sizzle) made turning each page more enjoyable than the last. The hours would fly by and then I'd realize how long I'd been sucked into this world. It was fun, addictive, and I really really want more. We get a good HEA, but I want more answers and more story (and just generally *more* of Zack and Autumn)! I highly recommend this book to all my YA paranormal fans out there.



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Review: A Curse Awakened

A Curse Awakened by Cecy Robson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a quick, short introduction to the "Weird Girls" and their wonderfully unique set of powers. Each gifted with something "weird", this story shows how they get them unbound from an evil curse.

Celia and her sisters get themselves into trouble on the way out of town. After getting a call from her ex-boyfriend, Danny, they are all drawn into a fight with some pretty nasty vampires. Lucky for them, this whole big story leads them to the key to unlocking their curse (cast upon them by a vengeful family member). There's mystery, mischief, mayhem, and bloody murder - so if that, with lots of paranormal powers, is what you're looking for in a short read, you should definitely check this one out.

All in all, this was an interesting introduction to the series, but I think I might have been better off reading it after I already knew all the characters. It read as a sort of "bonus" story to the series, rather than a real prequel.



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Review: Wild About You

Wild About You by Kerrelyn Sparks

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Wow! I freely admit to stalling about reading this installment in the series. Something about Howard just didn't strike me as sexy or interesting. Maybe it's because he always comes across as a bit of a big teddy bear or fatherly figure to the many people he protects. Either way, I was wrong. I should've picked this book up the moment it came out because it was a wonderfully entertaining read!

Howard is trying to tie up loose ends at home. I don't recall if we got any information about his past before, but this book will certainly fill in any gaps. While he tries to purge his demons, matchmaking meddlers are working to bring him and his longtime TV personality crush, Elsa (the sledgehammer wielding home renovator) together. I love these books, so I give them a certain amount of leeway when it comes to build up of the romance. They tend to go from zero to love in very little time. Here, we get a little mix of courtship and "fated mates" type romance. Either way, it's 100% hot. This book really changed the way I see Howard, and it's like I get a whole new character out of it.

Elsa and Howard were a well matched couple in this world, and I can easily see how they fit perfectly in the universe. As a bonus, we also got little tid bits from the stars of previous books. If you've never read a book in this series, I think you could probably start from this one, but why would you? They are all so good, you should start from the beginning and enjoy them all in order!



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Review: Animal Attraction

Animal Attraction by Paige Tyler

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a really fun and sexy intro to a new series of Alaskan shifter filled with a solid murder/mystery and some yummy romance. The writing style was very engaging and made for a quick, enjoyable read overall.

Eliza is a determined reporter. She won't be stopped by the fact that she was only hired as a tabloid paranormal reporter slow down her career. Sent to the Alaska on a werewolf assignment, the last thing she expects is to meet the real thing. There's a string of murders that all point towards a dangerous killer on the loose, whether it is paranormal or not, and the story certainly had you wondering when the murderer would strike again. On her way to unraveling the mystery, Eliza meets the hottie teacher, Hunter, who certainly knows a lot about wolves. Their attraction really skyrockets from the first meeting. Suddenly, Eliza finds herself wondering if she might be able to see herself in Alaska for more than just a story.

This intro to the series book was enough to have me looking into the author's other works. It was nice to have a quick and easy read that had bits and pieces of all the things I like about paranormal romance. I'm interested in seeing what else is released from this author in the future. This book was definitely worth checking out if you're into hot werewolf romance reads that will also deliver a healthy dose of murder/mystery.



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Review: Hotter Than Helltown

Hotter Than Helltown by S.M. Reine

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

These books are such quick and fun reads that I wish I had more to devour at once! Cesar's sarcastic and hilarious inner monologue is one of my favorite parts of this series and keeps me coming back for more. While these books take place in the same universe as the rest, they are definitely a solid stand alone read.

Cesar is still straddling the line at his new job. He's trying his best to mess up his deal to become Aspis to Fritz, while still appearing to give it his best shot. He's working for a company that has pretty much assured him they will eventually be the cause of his death. He's also flirting with his boss's ex (almost) fiancee. All these things will certainly lead to no good in the long run, but in the short period of time that this book covers, it makes for really entertaining antics. We are introduced to angels in this set of books (finally), and they are just as wrong as they were in the Elise stories. If you find these things offesive, you are in the wrong place. I am absolutely in love with the twisted and wonderful world that the author has painted, and continue to love it in this new format. Just when you think you have things figured out, there is always a curveball that causes my jaw to drop and flips my understanding upside down.

Poor Cesar doesn't get much in the way of romantic action, but there is all sorts of buildup for misunderstandings and horrible situations to happen in future installments. These stories are gritty, entertaining, hilarious, and so interesting! I can honestly say that there is nothing out there like a book from this author. From writing style to unique world building, you just can't really compare any other books out there to these. If you haven't checked out this series, or any related books, you are missing out on something truly special.



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